FAFSA signature page won't load - stuck at section 5 and can't submit
I've been helping my daughter with her 2025-2026 FAFSA application and we've hit a major roadblock. We completed all the required sections (1-4), but when we try to access the signature page in section 5, the form freezes completely. The cursor shows we can click on the signature section, but nothing happens after that. We've tried different browsers (Chrome, Firefox, and Edge), clearing cache, and even using different devices. Nothing works! It's been 3 days and the submission deadline is coming up next week. Has anyone else encountered this signature page glitch? Any solutions that actually worked for you? This is seriously stressing us out!
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Hugo Kass
same thing happened 2 me last week!! thought it was just my crappy laptop lol. tried on my phone and that didnt work either
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Simon White
•Did you ever figure out a solution? I'm getting really worried about missing the deadline!
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Nasira Ibanez
Just FYI - make sure you're not using any ad blockers or popup blockers when filling out the FAFSA. The signature page uses a special popup window and sometimes security settings block it. That was my issue!
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Simon White
•OMG thank you! Just checked and we do have an ad blocker running. Will try disabling it right now and see if that works.
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Khalil Urso
This is actually a known issue with the new digital signature system on the 2025-2026 FAFSA. There are a few troubleshooting steps you need to follow: 1. Make sure your browser is completely updated to the latest version 2. Disable ALL browser extensions (not just ad blockers) 3. Enable cookies specifically for studentaid.gov domain 4. Check that your FSA ID credentials are fully verified (sometimes pending verification status can block signatures) 5. Try accessing during off-peak hours (2am-5am EST) If none of those work, you'll need to request a signature exception, which requires calling the Federal Student Aid Information Center directly.
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Simon White
•Thank you for such a detailed response! I've tried steps 1-3 already with no luck. Our FSA IDs are fully verified (we've had them for years). I guess we'll try the off-peak hours tonight, but if that doesn't work we'll need to call. Ugh, I've heard the wait times are brutal.
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Myles Regis
I had the EXACT same issue and literally spent 8 hours trying everything under the sun. What fixed it for me was super weird - I had to change my display scaling in Windows to 100% (it was at 125%). Apparently the signature page doesn't render properly with certain display settings! Something about the Java element they use for signatures. Try that before calling.
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Simon White
•That's such a strange fix but I'm desperate enough to try anything at this point! Will check our display settings tonight. Thanks for the suggestion!
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Brian Downey
This is why I HATE the new FAFSA system!!! The old form wasn't great but at least it WORKED. I had to call FSA 4 TIMES before someone could help me with the exact same signature issue. Each time I waited over 2 hours and either got disconnected or talked to someone who had NO CLUE how to fix it. The 4th time I finally got someone who knew what they were doing and they had to manually override something on their end. The whole system is a disaster and they expect us to just deal with it!!
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Hugo Kass
•omg 2 hours wait each time?? no way im doing that, id rather just not go to college lol
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Simon White
•That sounds absolutely miserable. I'm sorry you had to go through that. I'm starting to think we might have to call too, but those wait times are terrible. Did they at least explain what caused the issue?
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Jacinda Yu
Hey, just wanted to share something that saved me tons of time when I had this exact signature problem. I used a service called Claimyr to get through to a FAFSA agent without the crazy wait time. Their system holds your place in line and calls you back when an agent is about to answer. I was skeptical but the video demo convinced me: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ The agent I got actually knew about the signature page bug and fixed it on their end in about 5 minutes. Saved me days of frustration! Their website is claimyr.com if you want to check it out.
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Hugo Kass
•does this actually work?? might try it cuz im not waiting 2hrs on hold
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Simon White
•Thanks for the recommendation! I'll check out the video. At this point I'm willing to try anything that might help us get through. Just need to get this form submitted before the deadline hits.
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Nasira Ibanez
Have you checked if your FAFSA is actually already complete? Sometimes the signature page glitch happens AFTER you've already signed but the system doesn't show it properly. Log out completely, wait 30 minutes, log back in and check your submission status. You might see it's already submitted!
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Simon White
•Just checked and unfortunately it definitely shows as incomplete with the signature section marked with a red X. I wish it had been that simple!
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Landon Flounder
I work at a financial aid office and we've seen this signature issue a lot this cycle. The problem is usually with the parent FSA ID not being fully verified OR the student and parent accidentally using the same email address during the FSA ID creation (even if the usernames are different). Double-check both of those things. If neither is the issue, then you'll definitely need to call FSA directly and have them help you troubleshoot.
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Simon White
•Just checked our FSA IDs and emails - we're definitely using separate email addresses and both accounts show as verified. I think we're going to have to call. Really appreciate your insight from the financial aid office perspective!
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Myles Regis
Any update? Were you able to get the signature page working? I'm invested in your FAFSA journey now lol
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Simon White
•So we tried a bunch of the suggestions here with no luck. Ended up using that Claimyr service someone mentioned and got through to an agent in about 20 minutes. Turns out there was some weird verification flag on our account that was blocking the signature page from loading properly. The agent fixed it right away and we were able to sign and submit! FAFSA is FINALLY done! Thanks everyone for your help!!
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